UPenn Average GPA (3.9) & Acceptance Rate (5.4%)

Q: What is the acceptance rate at the University of Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate was 5.4% for fall 2024: it admitted 3,523 of 65,226 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Q: What GPA do most the University of Pennsylvania students have?

96% of University of Pennsylvania's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (59%) had a 4.0, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

Acceptance rate: 5.4% for fall 2024

Average high school GPA: 3.9, as reported by the college for 2025–26

SAT, middle 50%: 740–770 reading and writing, 770–800 math

ACT, middle 50%: 34–36 composite

Average net price: $26,017 a year (2022–23)

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Type your GPA to compare it with what University of Pennsylvania reported: an average GPA of 3.9 (2025–26), an acceptance rate of 5.4% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 34–36.

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A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Pennsylvania reviews each application.

University of Pennsylvania average GPA

University of Pennsylvania reported an average high school GPA of 3.9 for its first-year students, in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether it's weighted or unweighted.

How their high school GPAs were spread:

High school GPA	Share of first-year students
4.0	59%
3.75–3.99	32%
3.50–3.74	5%
3.25–3.49	4%

First-year students who submitted a high school GPA, as University of Pennsylvania reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. None had a GPA below 3.25. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so these figures can't be compared directly with your own GPA.

University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate

University of Pennsylvania admitted 3,523 of 65,226 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 5.4%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of Pennsylvania is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with 11,478 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Pennsylvania in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test	25th percentile	Median	75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing	740	760	770
SAT Math	770	790	800
ACT Composite	34	35	36
ACT English	35	35	36
ACT Math	34	35	36

50% submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores, as University of Pennsylvania reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1553 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of Pennsylvania looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factor	Status
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.	Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.	Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.	Required
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.	Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.	Considered if submitted
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.	Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.	Considered if submitted
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.	Considered if submitted
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.	Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.	Not considered
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.	Not considered

Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of Pennsylvania's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of Pennsylvania awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $26,017 a year at University of Pennsylvania in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Is the University of Pennsylvania hard to get into?

Yes. Fewer than 1 in 10 applicants got in, which makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into. University of Pennsylvania admitted 5.4% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What are the University of Pennsylvania's SAT and ACT score ranges?

The middle 50% of University of Pennsylvania's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 740–770 in reading and writing and 770–800 in math; ACT composite 34–36, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

What is the acceptance rate at the University of Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate was 5.4% for fall 2024: it admitted 3,523 of 65,226 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Can I get into the University of Pennsylvania with a 3.5 GPA?

It would be on the low side there: 4% of University of Pennsylvania's first-year students who submitted a GPA had one below 3.5, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set, and it admitted 5.4% of applicants for fall 2024. Colleges calculate GPA in different ways, so compare on the same scale and look at your courses and test scores too.

What GPA does the University of Pennsylvania look for?

University of Pennsylvania doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 3.9, as reported by the college in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether that average is weighted or unweighted.

What GPA do most the University of Pennsylvania students have?

96% of University of Pennsylvania's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (59%) had a 4.0, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

How much does GPA matter at the University of Pennsylvania?

A lot: University of Pennsylvania requires high school GPA, high school record and recommendations. It considers high school class rank, college preparatory program, essay or personal statement, test scores, demonstration of competencies and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests and work experience. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of Pennsylvania?

Check University of Pennsylvania's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. University of Pennsylvania was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 50% sent SAT scores and 17% sent ACT scores.

How much does the University of Pennsylvania cost after financial aid?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $26,017 a year at University of Pennsylvania in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does the University of Pennsylvania give credit for AP exams?

Yes. University of Pennsylvania awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Sources

College Navigator: University of PennsylvaniaU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set 2025–26University of Pennsylvania: average high school GPA of first-year students and how their GPAs were spread.
College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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